Just a year ago, she was the main outcast of world figure skating, and today she is back in the spotlight, seemingly not only thanks to sports.
In March, at the ISU Skating Awards red carpet, Ilya Malinin did not appear alone. Accompanying the "God of Quads" was the charming Korean Lee Hae-in.
While Ilya was collecting his trophies, fans' eyes were glued to the companion of the God of Quads.
A romance with a million likes: what connects Malinin and Lee Hae-in
Rumors that there is something between the American record holder and the Korean world vice-champion started circulating during the Olympics in Milan. Fans pointed to joint outings to Italian bistros and time spent in the Olympic village as evidence. The couple was filmed in a cat café, and that video quickly went viral on social media.
Additionally, Ilya continues to be Lee's most devoted fan on social media. Likes on every photo (even archival ones) and comments with hearts have become the norm.
In the past, Malinin was in a relationship with Anna Sretenski. She is the daughter of the famous Soviet figure skater Heinrich Sretenski, who was a four-time European Championships medalist in ice dance. Interestingly, all joint photographs with his former girlfriend have been deleted from the athlete's social media.
The shadow of scandal: why Lee Hae-in received a three-year ban
Why does this possible romance cause such a stir? It’s due to Lee Hae-in's reputation. In the summer of 2024, her career almost came to an end forever. The Korea Skating Union (KSU) disqualified her for three years for sexual harassment of a minor colleague during training in Italy.
For conservative Korea, this was a verdict. The essence of the accusations was that Lee and another skater consumed alcohol and involved a 16-year-old junior in "improper relations." Lee Hae-in had to take extreme measures. She publicly admitted to being in a relationship with this guy and provided the court with their correspondence to prove that it was all out of love, not coercion.
April 2026: rehabilitation and return
As of today, Lee Hae-in has almost completely cleared her name. After lengthy proceedings in civil courts, her disqualification was deemed unfounded and suspended.
The figure skater returned to the ice and has already competed in several major tournaments, including the Olympics and World Championships. The girl is making up for lost time, although the psychological pressure is still immense.
Many experts believe that Ilya's support played a key role in her "resurrection." While the Korean public was against her, the world's best figure skater openly showed her his affection, which helped Lee Hae-in maintain her media status in the West.
Gossip and risks: why are they silent
If they are indeed dating, why has the couple not made an official statement yet? There could be several reasons. Malinin is the face of American figure skating. His managers may not find an official romance with a girl whose name is still associated with the word "scandal" in search engines very beneficial.
The mentality of the skater's home country also plays a significant role. Lee Hae-in is still under close scrutiny from the Korean federation. Any extra reason to discuss her personal life could provoke a new wave of hate back home.
And, after all, the couple has the right to a private life outside of public discussions. It seems we are witnessing a classic story: two loners, having endured immense pressure over the past two years (one — technical and psychological as the leader of world figure skating, the other — legal and reputational), have found common ground.
Whether this is a budding friendship, a full-fledged romance, or just a business arrangement in the spotlight will be revealed in time.
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